Airstrike Hits Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Near Baghdad: Reports

Airstrike Hits Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Near Baghdad: Reports
Protesters burn property in front of the U.S. embassy compound, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 31, 2019. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)
Jack Phillips
1/3/2020
Updated:
1/4/2020

Airstrikes on Friday night hit an Iraqi militia convoy north of Baghdad, killing at least six people, according to reports.

The airstrikes took place at around 1:12 a.m. local time.

The Reuters news agency reported that Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, which are Iran-backed Shia militia groups, were struck near Taji. Three people were critically wounded.

An Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) spokesman stated that the airstrikes were not conducted by coalition forces. “FACT: The Coalition did NOT conduct airstrikes near Camp Taji (north of Baghdad) in recent days.”

According to The Associated Press, an Iraqi official said the airstrike has hit two cars carrying Iran-backed militia and that five members of the militia were slain.

The identities of those who are killed are not immediately known.

An official told Reuters that two of three vehicles making up the convoy were found burned north of the city.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that the airstrikes were done by U.S. forces. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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